Radiotherapy

Hi branningfan, if your partner does need RT, it would be best to have a feeding tube, as an NG has not been too good for him, maybe a RIG or a PEG would be better. Both are fitted through the stomach, which is done by a small operation. Many people on here have had them, including myself, they are a lifesaver. All the best.

Regards Ray.

Hi HascRsy has said the peg or rig would be the wsy to go. As for tips on radiotherapy.  One day at a time don’t think too far in advance make hus team aware of any issues. Take pain medication by route don’t wait for pain once it starts it’s not like headache that can come and go it’s there all the time. In meanwhile try ti get rest and wait and see. It’s not a 2 min thjng ti arrange there’s masks snd scans  treatments plans are worked out individually plus booking time on the machines .. it can take a giid few weeks to sort. 
In reply to other response try fortifying soups with cream , poached eggs are good. Look at our blogs for ideas stubs link might help this link is by one of our ladies she’s got great tips 

 Liquid diet ideas

https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/66263025/cookbook-by-andrew-gaylor-head-and-neck-cancer-survivor-2022

Hazel x

I'll 2bd that.  I had tge peg and it was a life saver for me also. I had mine in September last year and still got it. Don't use it now waiting to have it taken out. Its not bothered me at all. X

Hi

My cancer is right side of tongue and rear floor of mouth. 

I've had an NG tube for the last four months as i'm purely on a liquid diet, luckily i've been able to get on with it ok.

But in saying that they don't using NG's long term anyway they are just temporary. If you still need a feeding tube, as Old Biker said, they fit a RIG or PEG. I'm having a RIG fitted next week.

I'm just wondering, was he vomiting because of the amount of feed he was getting in one go ?? When i first had mine, i felt nausiated after and sicky due to having so much at once.

He might find it a little easier to cope with feeding little and often untill he gets used to it.  If he feeds over night, he could also try slowing the feed rate down lower

. When i first started i was on 500mls over 10hrs, now i'm more or less on double the amount over 10hrs.

Good luck

Cat x

Hi all, thanks so much for the replies. Catmarel - yes, exactly as you say - too much feed at once and just couldn't handle it. They did get there in the end but it was just a whole saga we really don't want to repeat as it was awful for him. x

Back again with another question! How long did it take for tongue swelling to go down? Today is three weeks since the surgery. Partner is a bit low as his tongue seems to have stopped going down. I have asked him to give his consultant a ring to see what he thinks. He keeps trying to eat puree stuff rather than just soup and fortisips, but can't manage it at the moment. I've told him he's being too hard on himself and stick to liquid diet for now.

Glad they managed to get it sorted for him, sometimes it is trial and error and takes a while to settle and sort, but it's worth it in the end.

Good luck.

Cat x